A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Boone vs. Bangor for Nightlife, Families, Couples, and Attractions

Should you visit Boone or Bangor?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Boone and Bangor can help you decide which place is right for you.

Boone

Boone is a charming, relaxing, and quaint town. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include food, hiking, and shopping.

Bangor

Bangor is a friendly, laid back, and welcoming town. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and shopping.

Boone and Bangor: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular for skiing
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Good for hiking
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Good for students
  • Small town charm
  • Impressive beauty
  • Home to the Blue Ridge Parkway
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Family-friendly
Things to Consider
  • Less popular for nightlife
  • Less popular with couples
  • Less popular with backpackers


Is there more to do in Boone or Bangor?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Boone. Although Boone and Bangor are popular destinations, Boone has more sights and attractions for tourists. Boone is more touristy than Bangor and is popular for its proximity to great hiking, skiing, and small town charm. It is also well known for the Blue Ridge Parkway. Bangor is famous for its history as a lumber town.

How is Boone different from Bangor?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Bangor and Boone. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Is Boone or Bangor Better for Skiing?

Boone
Bangor

Boone is a well-known place for snow skiing. However, Bangor is not a skiing destination.

Boone is a well-known ski destination which attracts visitors from far and wide. It's a very popular ski destination in North Carolina. There are family-friendly slopes as well as more challenging options. Head to the popular Appalachian Ski Mountain, nearby Beech Mountain, or Sugar Mountain for some of the area's best skiing.

Bangor is not a skiing destination.


Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Boone or Bangor?

Boone
Bangor

You'll find a number of nice museums and attractions in both Bangor and Boone.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Boone. Most people spend the majority of their time exploring the natural beauty, but there are also several small local museums such as the Banner House Museum.

Bangor is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are a couple of museums around town that focus on culture and daily life in Maine.

Is the Food Better in Boone or Bangor? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Boone
Bangor

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Boone and Bangor can be difficult as they are each nice in their own way.

Boone is becoming an appealing option for foodies. You'll find farm to table restaurants, local cafes, and all of the standard chain restaurants nearby. Check for a High Country Grown certification if you want to prioritize locally sourced ingredients.

Bangor offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. For a small town, there are a range of dining options in the area such as seafood, international cuisine, and quick eats.

Is Boone or Bangor Better for Nightlife?

Boone
Bangor

Boone is a well-known place for its evening party scene. However, Bangor is not a good town for nightlife.

Boone offers plenty to do in the evening. It's a small town, but there are local breweries and a great nightlife scene that is, in large part, influenced by the large student population.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Bangor. There are breweries and bars with laid back vibes and a casual atmosphere.


Is Boone or Bangor Better for Hiking?

Boone
Bangor

Boone is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. However, Bangor is not a hiking destination.

Boone is a popular spot for hiking. The area is filled with wonderful hikes, particularly around Grandfather Mountain and along the Blue Ridge Parkway. The famed Appalachian Trail passes through the area as well. Many hikes take you through beautiful forests, passed dramatic waterfalls, and to breathtaking viewpoints.

Bangor is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Boone or Bangor?

Boone
Bangor

Boone is a well-known place for its shopping areas. Also, Bangor is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Boone. Wander along King Street for some of the town's best shopping. There are independent vendors and antique shops that are fun to pop into. The town is also known for its farmer's markets.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Bangor. Head downtown for the widest selection of locally own shops and boutiques.

Is Boone or Bangor Better for Families?

Boone
Bangor

Boone is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Bangor is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Boone is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Near town you'll find kid-friendly hikes, such as Linville Falls. There are also several places where kids can go ziplining or rock climbing. Parks and outdoor activities are abundant and the whole family will enjoy the setting.

Bangor is a family-friendly town. You'll find a number of parks and walking trails nearby. There's also fruit picking and playgrounds to explore.


Is Boone or Bangor Better for Couples?

Boone
Bangor

Boone is a well-known place for couples. However, Bangor is not a good town for romance.

Boone is a very popular place to visit for couples. The charming town has a romantic setting with local restaurants, beautiful hikes, and plenty of shopping. Couples enjoy staying at bed and breakfasts and enjoying the quaint atmosphere.

Bangor is not the best destination for a couple to visit. There are local restaurants and several museums in town that couples will enjoy.

Is Boone or Bangor Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Boone
Bangor

Boone is a town with good options for backpackers. However, Bangor is not a good town for backpackers and budget travelers.

Boone is a good town to visit for backpackers. While there aren't many hostels in the area, there are plenty of campgrounds. The nearby Appalachian State University also ensures that there are plenty of fun activities for young visitors.

Bangor is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Budget accommodation is available, but most backpackers don't think the visit here.

Is Boone or Bangor Better for Students?

Boone
Bangor

Boone is an amazing town to visit for students. However, Bangor is not popular with students.

Boone is a very popular town for students. This mountain town offers a great setting for students who enjoy hiking and skiing. Appalachian State University is a fun college with plenty of activities going on.

Bangor is not popular with students.


Is Boone or Bangor Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Boone
Bangor

Boone and Bangor both offer reasonable public transit to get you around.

Public transit is mostly limited in Boone. You really need a car to make the most of your time.

Public transit is generally limited in Bangor. There's a bus system, but visitors usually use their own car to get around.

Is Boone or Bangor a more walkable city?

Boone
Bangor

Boone is a well-known place for its ease of walking around. Also, Bangor is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its walkability.

Boone is a very walkable destination. Head to King Street for the best shopping and the most pedestrian-friendly part of town.

Bangor is somewhat walkable. The downtown is compact and easy to explore on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Boone Worth Visiting? and Is Bangor Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Bangor or Boone?

How long in Boone or Bangor?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Boone or Bangor to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Boone than Bangor because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Boone, and 1-2 days is enough time in Bangor.

Families should spend more time in Boone than Bangor. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Boone, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Boone than Bangor. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Boone that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Boone than Bangor if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Boone.


  • How many days in Boone or Bangor? Ideal Length of Stay
    Boone 2-4 
    Bangor 1-2

One day in Boone or Bangor?

Boone might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

In Bangor, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this laid back destination offers. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.


A weekend in Boone or Bangor?

Boone is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bangor. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Boone or Bangor?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Boone. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Bangor is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the museums and food when visiting the destination of Bangor. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Boone or Bangor?

Boone is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

You'll find food and shopping around the welcoming destination of Bangor. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.


For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Camping Tours in United States of America, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America, and The Best Walking Tours in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Bangor or Boone?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Boone is $173, while the average daily cost in Bangor is $197. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Boone and Bangor in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Boone $91
    Bangor $114
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Boone $182
    Bangor $228
Compare Hotels in Boone and Bangor

Looking for a hotel in Boone or Bangor? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Boone


Hotels in Bangor


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Boone Hotel Prices and Bangor Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Boone $33
    Bangor $36

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bangor

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bangor:

  • Private Transfer from Bangor Airport(BGR) to Rockland Cruise Port: $69
  • Private Transfer from Bangor city hotels to Rockland Cruise Port: $69

Is it cheaper to fly into Boone or Bangor?

Prices for flights to both Bangor and Boone change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Boone $53
    Bangor $54
Typical Food Prices in Boone

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Boone:


  • Restaurant Lunch for 2
    $20

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Boone $53
    Bangor $45

Typical Entertainment Prices in Bangor

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Bangor are as follows:


  • Children's Museum (for 4)
    $32

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Boone $26
    Bangor $23


When comparing the travel costs between Boone and Bangor, we can see that Bangor is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Boone Expensive? and Is Bangor Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Boone or Bangor?

Bangor has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Boone. When comparing the sizes of Boone and Bangor, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.